ROOKHABIT · TEACHER SHEET
Two pieces, one idea
Paul Morphy / 1858 / París
Born in New Orleans, Morphy won the first American Chess Congress in 1857. In 1858 he travelled to Europe and defeated several of its leading players. His games show how developing pieces and opening lines can outweigh extra material. He returned to the United States in 1859 and left serious competition to pursue law.
White to move · How would you bring the rook into the attack?
Where is the black king?
On e8.
Write a move and explain what you want to achieve.
The historical move is 16. Qb8+, deflecting the knight from d7.
After watching the continuation, mark the rook’s final square on the diagram and draw an arrow from the bishop protecting it.
The bishop on g5 protects the rook on d8.
Why can the king not capture the rook on d8?
d8 is defended by the bishop on g5. In the final position the king is in check and has no legal moves.
The historic decision
16. Qb8+ gives up the queen to deflect the knight from d7, which blocks the d-file. After …Nxb8, 17. Rd8 is mate: the bishop on g5 protects the rook and cuts off e7.
Extension
Return to the earlier position: what stopped the rook from entering d8 directly?
World Chess Hall of Fame · Paul Morphy: https://worldchesshof.org/inductee/paul-morphy/
https://rookhabit.com/en/classroom/morphy